Move-in Procedures

Receiving the key

You will be given the key to the housing after the rental agreement is signed. This key must be returned to the landlord at the end of the contract period, so be careful not to lose it.
When receiving the key, if possible, have the real estate agent accompany you to check the condition of the housing and it is a good idea to create a checklist. Drawing a simple floor layout and marking the damaged or dirty areas and attaching dated photographs are useful in avoiding trouble in the future. Also be sure to check that all furnishings and equipment operate properly.
You must not make copies of keys without permission. You must obtain permission from the landlord first.

Applying for electricity, gas, and water

To apply for electricity, write your name, address, and usage start date on the postcard attached to the breaker and mail it in.
For gas, contact a gas company ahead of time and request that the gas be turned on before the move-in date. You must be present when the gas is turned on.
For water, contact the section in charge of waterworks at your local government office and follow the procedure for having the water turned on. Write your name, address, and usage start date on the provided postcard and mail it in.

Greeting the neighbors

In Japan, it is the custom when one moves into a new location to go around the neighbors and people living on the floors above and below you to introduce yourself. Give your name and a simple self-introduction.
It is convenient to be acquainted with each other. Take care on a daily basis to greet people when you meet them.

Neighborhood association/residents’association

In Japan, there is usually a residents’organization called either the“neighborhood association”(chonaikai) or“residents’association”(jichikai).
The chonaikai or jichikai passes around circulars (a message clipboard with information from the city hall, healthcare center, and other organizations that is circulated in order among the association members), conducts anti-crime activities and disaster preparedness drills, and holds festivals and other events where neighbors can get together.
The chonaikai or jichikai activities are funded by the membership fees paid by the residents.

Keeping property in good condition

Remember that you are renting, so make sure the property remains in good condition. If something is broken and needs to be fixed, call the management company or your landlord immediately.

Setting out the garbage

The way for taking out the garbage differs depending on the neighborhood in which you live (city, ward, town, or village). The day and time period when the garbage is to be set out is decided, so when you move in ask the real estate agent, the neighbors, or the local government office about the set day and time.
If you do not set out the garbage at the appointed time, it will not be collected even if you separate it properly, and this will often cause trouble with the neighbors. Be especially careful to observe the appointed day and time.
Items that need to be checked
・Days and time the garbage is to be set out　・Location where the garbage is to be set out
・Separation of burnable and non-burnable garbage　・How to dispose of large items, etc.
・Separation of recyclable waste (bottles, cans, PET plastic bottles, newspapers, etc.)

Garbage must be placed in specially designated garbage bags. These bags can be purchased for a small fee.
In cities, wards, towns, or villages with many foreign residents, there may be pamphlets with illustrations in foreign languages that explain how to put out the garbage. Ask at the local government office or the waste collection office.

Caution regarding noise

In multi-family dwellings, sound travels easily to the neighbors or to the floors above and below, so be careful not to be noisy especially late at night or early in the morning.
For example, loud voices, parties, televisions and stereos, musical instruments, vacuum cleaners and washing machines, the sound of children running around, slamming of doors, taking a bath at night, and similar actions can often be noisy, so be careful not to disturb the neighbors.

How to use the housing

Japan is very humid (especially in the summer time), so take care to air out the inside of the housing. If condensation forms, wipe it off. Leaving condensation could cause mold and mildew to form and you will be held responsible for this.
Putting nails in the walls of the housing or painting it are often prohibited, so be sure to check what is prohibited by the rental agreement.
Living with people other than those stated in the rental agreement or sub-leasing the housing to another party are infractions of the rental agreement.
Prohibition of pets
Noise, foul orders, and animal droppings can cause disturbance to your neighbors. Therefore, pets are strictly prohibited.
Keeping a pet without permission will be considered a breech of your rental agreement and a violation of regulations. If you are caught, you must either give up the pet or be evicted. Go over the rental agreement and regulations carefully to ensure that no violations occur.　

Using the kitchen

Do not wash grease or food scraps down the sink drain. Absorb the grease with newspaper or other material and put it in the burnable garbage.
When cooking generates strong smells or smoke, turn on the exhaust fan and make sure the smell does not linger in the housing.
Do not throw disposable chopsticks or like materials down the drain of the kitchen sink.

Using the bathroom and toilet

Do not wash hair and other matter down the bathroom drain.
Do not flush anything but toilet paper down the toilet
You will cause your neighbors trouble if a drain or toilet becomes plugged and overflow. If you cause damage to housing below yours, you will be responsible for paying for it. If something does become damaged, contact the management company or the landlord to confirm whether the property is covered by property insurance.

Using common service areas and balconies

In multi-family dwellings, the halls, stairs, and other locations outside of your housing are common service areas. Do not place garbage or personal property in these areas. These common service areas are also used as escape routes in times of emergency.
Balconies might also be used as escape routes in times of emergency. Do not block the escape routes, etc., with belongings.

Using gas safely

If you think you smell gas, first turn off the gas supply and open all the windows and doors to ventilate the home. Then call the gas company. Do not turn on lights or vents?a spark from turning on the switch can cause an explosion. Follow these safety guidelines to prevent possible gas leaks.
1) Only use gas hoses to connect the stove to the gas supply. Make sure the connection is secured with a safety band.
2) Be sure to shut off the gas supply when not using the gas.
3) When turning on a gas stove or other gas equipment, be sure you confirm that the flame comes on, even if it has an automatic ignition.

Using electricity safely

The breaker panel distributes electricity to your lights and outlets. Be careful you do no to use too much electricity or cause a short.
The breaker will trip if:
1) Too much electricity is used.
2) A short occurs due to a damaged outlet or electrical appliance.
3) A short occurs due to a wet outlet or electrical appliance.
You are responsible for changing light bulbs.
Appliances plugged into a single plug must not exceed 1 kw. Be careful not plug in too many appliances into a single outlet.
Leaving on appliances that generate heat, such as heaters and irons, can cause a fire.

Bathrooms in Japan

Generally, bathrooms in Japan have a separate washing area from the bathtub.
The bathtub is only used to hold hot water and washing of the hair or body is done outside of the bathtub in the washing area. First rinse off all of the shampoo and soap before soaking in the bathtub.
If more than one person will take a bath, the hot water in the bathtub is not drained and can be used as is for the next person.

Japanese-style toilets

When using a Japanese-style toilet, squat facing the domed part.

Wearing shoes in the house is prohibited

Japanese houses have a step up from the entrance to the hall or room. Shoes are removed in the entrance before entering in the rest of the house. In Japan, people sit directly on the floor or on a cushion placed on the floor. So be sure to remove your shoes in the entrance. You must not enter the rest of the house with your shoes on.

Bicycle and car parking space

Line up your bicycle in an orderly fashion in the designated area, such as a bicycle parking space. When there are rules, such as affixing a special sticker to the bicycle, these rules must be followed.
For automobiles, a parking space must be acquired (there is often a charge for parking spaces). You must not park in even empty spaces in a parking area unless you have been given the right to park there (rented the space, etc).